Arches National Park

Arches National Park is a must-see for visitors to the Southeastern Utah area. Originally created as a National Monument, thisarea was re-designated as a National Park in 1971. The park is popular for many reasons, but most well known for being home to the world’s largest concentration of arches.

Arches National Park is a visual delight with windowed arches and towering spires, punctuated by eroded sandstone fins, hoodoos and pinnacles; a desert full of features so diverse some consider it one of the “miracles of nature.” There are over 2000 natural sandstone arches that have been preserved in the park, including the world-famous Delicate Arch.

Delicate Arch

Arguably Utah’s most iconic feature, Delicate Arch is a popular destination for hikers. Another highly popular destination is the Fiery Furnace. A labyrinth of texture, Fiery Furnace offers an exciting maze to explore. This trail requires a special permit, as well as the ability to scramble through openings by “chimneying” , or applying opposite pressure on the vertical walls, to navigate the trail.

There are over 73,000 acres of unique geological resources and formations in the park, with many other hikes to explore. With hikes ranging from easy to moderate, including some primitive loops, there are fun options for any traveler.

Arches National Park Camping

The highest point of elevation is 5,653 feet (1,723 m) at Elephant Butte, and its lowest elevation is 4,085 feet (1,245 m) at the visitor center. Arches National Park is open year-round, as is the campground. There are 50 individual sites to choose from for $20/night, which can accommodate up to ten people. It is highly recommended that these sites be reserved well in advance for nights between March 1st and October 31st. For group camping, the Juniper Basin campsite will accommodate up to 55 people; the Canyon Wren campsite up to 35.